FIXED INCOME MARKET
Money Markets
Interbank system liquidity opened significantly lower at ₦23.43billion long from ₦ 259.73 billion recorded on Friday, because of the retail FX auction and CRR debits that took place last week. However, Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) and Overnight (ON) rate closed at 13.50% and 14.00% respectively, compared to 13.75% and 14.00% reported on Friday, due to weak funding pressure.
Treasury Bills
The NTB market endured a calm session today, albeit with a bearish undertone. There were offers seen on Aug 2022, Oct 2022, Nov 2022 and June 2023 papers at 3.40%, 3.80%, 4.10% and 6.00% levels respectively with weak bids to match. Thus, average rate inched up by c.4bps to 3.88% at the close of the session.
Bonds
The FGN bonds market traded mixed sentiments, as there was specific client demand on 2026s, 2027s, 2034s and 2049s papers, while slightly improved offers were seen on 2025s, 2032s and 2042s maturities. Overall, average yield inched up by c.5bps to close at 11.40% at the close of the trading session.
Eurobonds
The Eurobond market took a breather from yesterday’s high-octane selloff theme, as it opened firmer with renewed interest seen on Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, and some North African papers. Market’s perception is that a potential 75bps rate hike has been priced in at current levels, though we await the outcome of the 2-day FOMC meeting tomorrow, for clarity on yield direction.
In other news, Kenya plans to borrow $1bn from banks by end of this month after they halted their Eurobond sale plans. Ghana’s Deputy Finance Minister also hinted at the country turning to the IMF to salvage their economy if homegrown plans fail.
Equities
The Nigerian Bourse closed the trading session on a bearish note as the ASI declined by c.0.16% from the previous session to close at 53,114.65pts. Market performance was dragged by selling activities on Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (TRANSCORP) (-5.07%), STANBIC (-2.35%) and WAPCO (-1.07%) while year-to-date returns was recorded at +24.34%.
The NGX Industrial, Banking and Oil & Gas Indices all lost c.0.11%, 0.35% and 0.46% respectively, while the NGX Consumer goods Index remained unchanged from the previous day. FCMB led the volume chart with c.52.08 million units while GTCO led the value charts with c.₦ 446.15 million worth of trades.
Foreign Exchange
FMDQ’s Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Fixing (NAFEX) rate continued to appreciate to ₦420.75/US $1.00 from ₦421.25/US$1.00, recorded at the previous session.
Commodities
Oil prices rose on Tuesday as tight global supply outweighed worries that fuel demand would be hit by a possible recession and fresh Covid-19 curbs in China. Overall, Brent Crude Oil price gained c.1.84% to settle at US$124.52pb as the WTI also gained c.1.72% from the previous session to settle at US$123.07pb as at report time. Spot Gold also lost c.0.92% to close at US$1,814.90 per ounce as at report time.
